As much as you try to keep your home clean, it is inevitable that there are some areas that are still prone to dirt and even bacteria. In fact, did you know that your bathroom faucet handle is actually teeming with germs? This is why it's important to disinfect it daily.
Aside from this, there are many places and items in your home you should regularly check on and clean. Here's are spots you should watch out for, plus how to make sure they stay as germ-free as possible:
The kitchen countertops
It is no secret that the kitchen is a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria. The countertops is usually where you put your grocery bags and its contents, as well as other articles like handbags and other non-food items. This is also where food, often raw, is prepared.
Cleaning tips: Keep it a habit to not put non-food items on your kitchen countertops. You should also disinfect them before and after preparing food by wiping them with a clean cloth soaked in a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water.
The kitchen sink
Inevitably, your kitchen is probably as dirty than your countertops. Harmful bacteria like E. coli tend to grow in the sink, since it is almost always moist and wet.
Cleaning tips: Wash it with hot, soapy water, and wipe it daily with disinfectant wipes.
The coffee maker
Coffee lovers might not want to hear this, but your beloved coffee makers are highly susceptible to bacteria growth. The cup holding coffee grounds, the water reservoir, and the place where the coffee comes out—all these parts, a study has found, hold bacteria like staphylococcus and E. coli.
Cleaning tips: This is how you can deep-clean your coffee maker: pour a solution of water and vinegar into the reservoir, wait 30 minutes, then brew the vinegar as you would brew your coffee. After this, brew 2-3 cycles of water to rinse out the vinegar. You can also do small everyday maintenance tasks like washing the removable parts after every use and making sure they are completely dry before using them again.
The faucet handles in your bathroom
Aside from the kitchen, the bathroom is also a great area for bacteria to grow, since it is often humid and moist. Studies have shown that faucet handles commonly host staphylococcus, a bacteria which can cause health issues like food poisoning and cellulitis, as well as coliform bacteria.
Cleaning tips: Make cleaning your faucet handles with disinfectant spray or disinfectant wipes an everyday habit.
Towels in your bathroom
Keeping bath, hand, and face towels inside the usually damp T&B can cause them to carry microbes, which, in turn, can cause infectious diseases.
Cleaning tips: The best way to keep your towels clean is by washing them every two days. If that’s too often for you, making sure that they dry completely between uses can be helpful. Also, find a room-temperature area to store them instead of keeping them hanging inside the bathroom.
Your toothbrush
Is your toothbrush placed somewhere near your toilet? That may not be the most ideal place to keep it since every time you flush the toilet, particles coming from it can travel through the air and cling to your toothbrush.
Cleaning tips: Start by placing your toothbrush holder in an area that is not close to the toilet. Also, it might help to put down the toilet seat before you flush.
Your pets’ bowls
A study has found that the bowls where you put your furry friends’ food and water are some of the most germ-filled parts of the home, with their capacity to host such bacteria as Salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria don’t only cause diseases to humans, but also to animals.
Cleaning tips: Soak the bowls either in a solution of vinegar and warm water, or bleach and cold water, then rinse it with clean water and dry.
Your cellphone
Because you use your mobile phone often, it also tends to be a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria. The microbes in human hands combined with natural oils in the skin can pass bacteria to your phone.
Cleaning tips: A great way to clean your phone thoroughly is by wiping it with clean cloth dipped in a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol. Also, try not to bring your phone into the bathroom to avoid bacteria build-up.
Your kikay kit
Makeup application tools like brushes are prime areas for germ build-up, especially if you take your kikay kit with you outdoors. These germs can, in turn, cause skin and eye infections.
Cleaning tips: At least once a week, wash your brushes with soap and water, or spray it with alcohol. It would also be helpful to replace your cosmetic products every six months, and to throw out those which cause you infections or irritations.
The keyboard of your computer
Just like your cell phone, your computer keyboard can become home to a lot of bacteria that are transported by touch. This issue is amplified is you share a computer with other people, or if you enjoy eating while using your computer.
Cleaning tips: Dip a cotton bud in alcohol, then run it between the keys of your keyboard to take out the dirt. If that doesn’t work, turn the keyboard upside down and try to shake the debris out. Also, washing your handts before and after using a keyboard will be a helpful practice.
Source: House Beautiful
This story originally appeared on RealLiving.com.ph
*Minor edits have been made by FemaleNetwork.com editors
